Golden State Killer Case: Former California police officer accused of murdering 12 and raping 50 caught after four decades of investigation

The 72-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo former police officer in Auburn, California was found guilty of a series of killings, rapes and assaults over four decades.

Police investigated the case for 40 years and looked for the so-called Golden State Killer. On Tuesday evening James DeAngelo was caught hold. He is believed to have killed 12 raped 50 in at least 10 counties in California.

It was after detectives recovered discarded DNA sample from DeAngelo's hope that the case got a breakthrough.

James DeAngelo was fired in 1979 from the police department. He fired for stealing a can of dog repellent and a hammer from a drugstore.

According to Joseph's neighbours, his behaviour was a bit odd. He used to yell at neighbouring people who went too close to his fence. But no one had ever imagined that he would have been behind all these killings.In a press conference yesterday, Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced his arrest. Schubert also said, "We found the needle in the haystack and it was right here in Sacramento."

What is he accused of ?

The accused originally called Night Stalker and later called The Golden State Killer is accused of raping and murdering women aged between 12 and 41. He was addressed as a reign of terror by the prosecutor.

He is accused of breaking into homes at night and tying up and rapping female victims, killed and stole cash and jewellery.